Below are passages that parallel the thought of zephaniah 3. Apart from this statement, nothing more is said about his background. Many would date the book prior to josiahs reforms 622621 b. Commentary on zephaniah 3 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Like jeremiah, zephaniah prophesies that judah will be punished for following pagan gods. He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing zeph 3. Zephaniah explains that the lord will pour out judgment on all nations. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Zephaniah concludes with the tender promise of g od that he will gather all the people who have been expelled from their land and will give them fame and renown among all peoples 3. Zephaniah prophesies of the wickedness of jerusalems leaders and the blessings that the humble inhabitants of jerusalem will receive after the lord removes the proud from their city. Zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zephaniah 1.
Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. He also warns some of judahs antagonistic neighbors of gods judgments that will come upon them. The book of zephaniah is dated in the 7th century b. Summary to zephaniah amid this judgment of the nation jerusalem holds the chief place. A slow unhurried reading of zephaniah is essential. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you author. It must be the mournful acknowledgment of every spiritual mind, that, after all the clear revealings of truth, and the deep teachings of the holy spirit, our views of what god is in himself, of what he is to his people, and, we may add, of what his people are to him, fall so far below what they. Introduction to habakkuk overview of zephaniah in his audio message from the. It probably dates from just before king josiahs religious reforms of 621bc see 2 kings 23. How many people will actually be able to stand before god and say they never heard of him or the bible or the message of the gospel. Zephaniah overview judgment pronounced call to repentance indictment and judgment on jerusalem and the nations promise of a remnant, preserved. Sermonarys bible background series is designed to help pastors and teachers study the setting and details behind every book in the bible. Feb 07, 2021 the lord your god in your midst, the mighty one, will save. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniah s great.
The prophet zephaniah made it clear that the day of gods judgment was near for disobedient judah and jerusalem. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. That is a phrase we have seen before in books of prophets esp. We now return to jerusalem, and must again hear what god has to say to her. As with most books of the minor prophets, the book of zephaniah isnt long, but perhaps one unusual thing about zephaniah is that he was of.
In chapter 3, the spirit of god, while laying open the iniquity which occasioned it, turns towards the remnant, and exhorts them to wait upon jehovah, since all hope was gone. Synopsis of the books of the bible, by john nelson darby, 185762, at. Whereas the prophet micah dealt carefully and sympathetically with the problems of the common people of judah, zephaniahs utterances show a much greater familiarity with court circles and current political issues. Zephaniah prophesied of the day of the lord zephaniah 1. In context the passages speak primarily to the nation of israel. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god. The major sins motivating this judgment, in zephaniah s view, are judahs worship of other deities 1. Zephaniah 3 is the third and last chapter of the book of zephaniah in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. Enrich your faith and grow in spiritual maturity with the incredible bible study and devotional books listed below. Please read zephaniah 3 completely before beginning.
By studying the book of zephaniah, you can learn that you do not need to follow the sinful customs of the society in which you live and that you can seek the. He started his prophetic work at the beginning of the reign of josiah the son of. The book of zephaniah zephaniah s prophecy of judgment on judah and jerusalem emphasizes, perhaps more than any other prophecy, the devastation and death that divine judgment will bring. The purpose of judgment is not vindictive, but to cleanse and purify in order that blessing and goodness might ensue from the ordeal. He will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love. One nature of his is expressed by love, and the other nature is expressed by wrath in judgment. Zephaniah prophesies that god will destroy the people of judah if they do not repent. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical and.
This phrase appears in most of the prophetic literature of the old testament. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet zephaniah, and is a part of the book of the twelve minor prophets. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. These two appear to be contrary to the extent that there seem to be two gods. Zephaniah pleaded, seek ye the lord, all ye meek of the earth. Seek humility, it may be that you will be hidden in the day of the lords anger zephaniah 2. This time of restoration of all things, which god has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began acts 3.
Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. Reading the chapter before looking at the notes, while working with the notes, and after finishing with the notes. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. Kings also represent the dominant evils and falsities against which the lord fought. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me.
The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Arcana coelestia ac 16611664 kings signify divine truth and divine good in and from the lord, as noted in apocalypse explained ae 446 10. God is displeased with those who claimed to be his own people. I understand that zephaniah is not a long book, but i feel that in the context of this particular series, some more space could have been utilized. Three other old testament individuals share his name. Zephaniah 3 zephaniah prophesies of the wickedness of jerusalems leaders and the blessings that the humble inhabitants of jerusalem will receive after the lord removes the proud from their city. Zephaniah saw in the day of the lord the destruction of his country, his neighbors, and eventually the whole earth zephaniah 1. Zephaniah s main theme is the coming of the day of the lord see notes on isa 2.
Habakkuk concealed himself in silencewe know nothing about his backgroundbut zephaniah goes to the opposite extreme and tells us more than is ordinary. Zephaniah encourages the people of judah and the meek people of the earth to seek righteousness. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. The book of zephaniah is filled with the wrath and judgment of god see zeph. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. Described as the day of the lord, the day of judgment is pictured as a time of darkness, of anguish and distress, of destruction and plunder of cities, and of threat to all life, human and animal alike. For comparison, the ab volume on obadiah by paul raabe is over 300 pages. Video video download options bible book introduction videos share share bible book introduction videos video series. Introduction from the niv study bible go to zephaniah. Almost half of that is devoted to the introduction. The title of the prophecy informs us that the ministry of zephaniah took place during the reign of josiah 640609 b. The book of zephaniah was written before the fall of judah in 587 bc.
Zephaniah prophesies of the wickedness of jerusalems leaders and the blessings that. In chapter 3, the spirit of god, while laying open the iniquity which occasioned it, turns towards the remnant, and exhorts them to wait upon. God celebrates in unison with his people, with songs and demonstrations of his joy, while he speaks of his love 3. Zephaniah portrays the stark horror of that ordeal with the same graphic imagery found elsewhere in the prophets. Jesus christ has the power and authority to bring about the worldwide restoration process. Introduction to the book of zephaniah why study this book. He will exult over you with joy, he will be quiet in his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city. Introduction to the book of zephaniah the book of zephaniah was written before the fall of judah in 587 bc. The l ord your god in your midst, the mighty one, will save. The bible journey introduction to the book of zephaniah. The book was written some time between 641 and 612 b. Kings represent goods and truths having the upper hand. The lord your god is among you, a warrior who saves.
Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations chapter 3 judgment upon jerusalem. The key to the book of zephaniah is the phrase the day of the lord. The lord, your god, is in your midst, a mighty savior, who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, who will sing joyfully. The lord your god is with you, he is mighty to save. Zephaniah 3 is the third and last chapter of the book of zephaniah in the hebrew bible or the. The opening verses of the book of zephaniah revealed the prophet zephaniahs lineage that traced back to king hezekiah. Zephaniah identifies himself better than any of the other minor prophets. Hence the book was probably written between 621 and 612 b. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. The documentary film email protected gives a rollicking look at a senior chorus of 24 singers whose average age is 80. As with each of the 12 minor prophets, the prophecy bears the name of its author, which is generally thought to mean the lord hides compare 2. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god through opposition to his people.
Zephaniah chapter 3 internet sacred text archive home. Zephaniah the one whom jehovah has chosen was a prophet of judah. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. New american standard bible the lord your god is in your midst, a victorious warrior. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord.
I will remove disaster from among you, so that no one may recount your disgrace. He traces his lineage back to his greatgreatgrandfather, hizkiah whom we know as hezekiah, king of judah. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Each packet in this series contains important background information on a specific biblical book such as authorship, date, setting, and book outlines gleamed from sources that are both rich and tested. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Zephaniah wrote that the day of the lord was near 1.
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